System and method for providing a lacrosse stick mesh

ABSTRACT

A lacrosse stick mesh is disclosed in which each aperture of the mesh has the form of an extended diamond shape. The extended diamond shape of each aperture has a greater length in a vertical direction than in a horizontal direction. The vertical direction is the direction in which the lacrosse ball is thrown from the pocket of the lacrosse stick mesh. The lacrosse stick mesh has more surface area that is in contact with a lacrosse ball in the vertical direction when the lacrosse ball is in the mesh pocket. When a player swings the lacrosse stick to impart force to the lacrosse ball and throws the lacrosse ball from the mesh pocket, more of the force is imparted to the ball in the vertical direction by the lacrosse stick mesh than would be imparted if the lacrosse stick mesh were formed having prior art aperture shapes.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to the manufacture of lacrosse sticks and in particular, to a system and method for providing an improved lacrosse stick mesh.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lacrosse is a team sport in which each player uses a netted stick (referred to as a crosse) in order to pass and catch a hard rubber ball. In a manner similar to the game of ice hockey, points are scored by causing the ball to pass through the goal of the opposing team. Lacrosse is also sometimes referred to as field hockey.

A lacrosse stick comprises a handle portion and a head portion. The handle portion generally comprises an elongated stick that is usually about three feet in length. The head portion of the lacrosse stick is affixed to one end of the handle portion. The head portion comprises a frame to which a flexible net or web is affixed. The flexible net is used to catch, hold and throw a lacrosse ball. The flexible net of a lacrosse stick is sometimes referred to as a mesh.

An example of a prior art lacrosse stick head 100 is illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, lacrosse stick head 100 comprises a lacrosse stick head frame 105 that is composed of sidewalls 110, a scoop portion 120 and a base 130. The base 130 of the frame 105 is formed with portions that receive one end of a lacrosse stick (not shown in FIG. 1). The frame 105 may be affixed to the lacrosse stick through the base 130. A side view of the prior art lacrosse stick head 100 is shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2, a lacrosse stick mesh 140 is attached to the portions of the lacrosse stick head frame 105. The string portions of the lacrosse stick mesh 140 form a plurality of apertures 150 through the lacrosse stick mesh 140. As shown in FIG. 2, the lacrosse stick mesh 140 has portions that extend below the level of the lacrosse stick frame 150. As is well known, these portions of the lacrosse stick mesh 140 form a pocket for catching and holding a lacrosse ball. A lacrosse player throws the lacrosse ball out of the pocket by swinging the lacrosse stick. As shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2, a prior art lacrosse stick mesh 140 is usually formed with apertures 150 that have an equilateral diamond shape.

The overall performance of a lacrosse stick may be improved by selecting an optimum shape for the apertures in a lacrosse stick mesh. There is therefore a need in the art for a system and method that is capable of improving the performance of a lacrosse stick by providing an improvement in the design of a lacrosse stick mesh.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improvement in the design of a lacrosse stick mesh.

An advantageous embodiment of the invention comprises a lacrosse stick mesh in which each aperture of the mesh has the form of an extended diamond shape. The extended diamond shape of each aperture has a greater length in a vertical direction than in a horizontal direction. The vertical direction is the direction in which the lacrosse ball is thrown from the pocket of the lacrosse stick mesh. The lacrosse stick mesh of the present invention has more surface area that is in contact with a lacrosse ball in the vertical direction when the lacrosse ball is in the mesh pocket. When a player swings the lacrosse stick to impart force to the lacrosse ball and throws the lacrosse ball from the mesh pocket, more of the force is imparted to the ball in the vertical direction by the lacrosse stick mesh than would be imparted if the apertures of the lacrosse stick mesh were formed having prior art aperture shapes.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

Before undertaking the Detailed Description of the Invention below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior uses, as well as future uses, of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of an exemplary prior art lacrosse stick head;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the exemplary prior art lacrosse stick head shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of an advantageous embodiment of a lacrosse stick mesh constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a photograph of an advantageous embodiment of a lacrosse stick mesh that is constructed in accordance with the principles of the lacrosse stick mesh that is illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of an advantageous embodiment of a lacrosse stick head that is constructed in accordance with the principles of the lacrosse stick mesh that is illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 illustrates an advantageous embodiment of a lacrosse stick mesh in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates another advantageous embodiment of a lacrosse stick mesh in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 3 through 7 and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present invention in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present invention may be implemented in any type of suitably arranged lacrosse stick head. To simplify the drawings the reference numerals from previous drawings will sometimes not be repeated for structures that have already been identified.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an advantageous embodiment of a lacrosse stick mesh 300 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, each aperture (310, 345) of the mesh 300 has the form of an extended diamond shape. An extended diamond shape is a diamond shape that has a greater length in a first direction than in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

For example, consider the exemplary extended diamond shape 310 that is shown in FIG. 3. The length 315 of the vertical direction of the extended diamond shape 310 is greater than the length 320 of horizontal direction of the extended diamond shape 310. In the exemplary extended diamond shape 310 that is shown in FIG. 3 the length 315 of the vertical direction is approximately fifty percent (50%) greater than the length 320 of the horizontal direction. For example, if the horizontal length 320 is eight (8) units in length, then the vertical length 315 is twelve (12) units in length.

It is understood that the given example of a fifty percent (50%) greater length is only one example of one advantageous embodiment of the invention. It is understood that other values of dimension may also be employed in other advantageous embodiments of the invention and that the invention is not specifically limited to the fifty percent (50%) example for the extended diamond shape 310.

Each extended diamond shape 310 in the mesh 300 is arranged so that it is parallel to the other extended diamond shapes 310 in the mesh 300. Each extended diamond shape 310 is formed by and bounded by four mesh strings (325, 330, 335, 340). As shown in FIG. 3, the upper left mesh string 325 of the extended diamond shape 310 extends from the left end of the horizontal length 320 to the top end of the vertical length 315. The upper right mesh string 330 extends from the right end of the horizontal length 320 to the top end of the vertical length 315. The lower left mesh string 335 of the extended diamond shape 310 extends from the left end of the horizontal length 320 to the bottom end of the vertical length 315. The lower right mesh string 340 extends from the right end of the horizontal length 320 to the bottom end of the vertical length 315.

As shown in FIG. 3, in addition to the extended diamond shapes 310 in the mesh 300, there are also extended diamond shapes 345 in the mesh 300. The length 350 of the vertical direction of the extended diamond shape 345 is greater than the length 355 of horizontal direction of the extended diamond shape 345. In the exemplary extended diamond shape 345 that is shown in FIG. 3 the vertical length 350 is approximately fifty percent (50%) greater than the horizontal length 355. For example, if the horizontal length 355 is eight (8) units in length, then the vertical length 350 is twelve (12) units in length.

As previously mentioned, it is understood that the given example of a fifty percent (50%) greater length is only one example of one advantageous embodiment of the invention. It is understood that other values of dimension may also be employed in other advantageous embodiments of the invention and that the invention is not specifically limited to the fifty percent (50%) example for the extended diamond shape 345.

Each extended diamond shape 345 in the mesh 300 is arranged so that it is parallel to the other extended diamond shapes 345 in the mesh 300. Each extended diamond shape 345 is formed by and bounded by four mesh strings (360, 365, 370, 375). As shown in FIG. 3, the upper left mesh string 360 of the extended diamond shape 345 extends from the left end of the horizontal length 355 to the top end of the vertical length 350. The upper right mesh string 365 extends from the right end of the horizontal length 355 to the top end of the vertical length 350. The lower left mesh string 370 of the extended diamond shape 345 extends from the left end of the horizontal length 355 to the bottom end of the vertical length 350. The lower right mesh string 375 extends from the right end of the horizontal length 350 to the bottom end of the vertical length 350.

As shown in FIG. 3, the extended diamond shapes 310 and the extended diamond shapes 345 in the mesh 300 form a complementary set of extended diamond shapes. The complementary set of extended diamond shapes provides a mesh 300 that has apertures (310, 345) that have a greater dimension in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction

As shown in FIG. 3, the extended diamond shape apertures 310 form a first plurality of extended diamond shape apertures 310 wherein each aperture 310 has a vertical length 315 that is greater than a horizontal length 320 that is perpendicular to the vertical length 315 and wherein the extended portion of each extended diamond shape aperture 310 extends toward the bottom of the extended diamond shape of aperture 310.

As also shown in FIG. 3, the extended diamond shape apertures 345 form a second plurality of extended diamond shape apertures 345 wherein each aperture 345 has a vertical length 350 that is greater than a horizontal length 355 that is perpendicular to the vertical length 350 and wherein the extended portion of each extended diamond shape aperture 345 extends toward the top of the extended diamond shape of aperture 345.

This feature provides more contact area between the lacrosse ball and the mesh 300 in the vertical direction. The vertical direction is the direction in which a lacrosse ball is thrown from the pocket that is formed by the mesh 300. The mesh 300 comprises a plurality of mesh strings (335, 340, 360, 365) that have a larger vertical component that is in contact with a lacrosse ball in the vertical direction (when the lacrosse ball is in the pocket that is formed by the mesh 300) than the corresponding horizontal component. When the player swings the lacrosse stick to impart force to the lacrosse ball and throws the lacrosse ball from the pocket, more of the force is imparted to the ball in the vertical direction by the mesh 300 than would be imparted if the apertures of the mesh were formed having prior art aperture shapes.

FIG. 4 is a photograph of the advantageous embodiment of the lacrosse stick mesh 300 that is constructed in accordance with the principles of the lacrosse stick mesh 300 that is shown in FIG. 3. The photograph in FIG. 4 shows that there are more mesh strings of the mesh 300 aligned in the vertical direction (the direction in which the lacrosse ball is thrown) than in the horizontal direction. As previously mentioned, this means that there is an increased area of the mesh 300 that is in contact with the lacrosse ball in the direction in which the player will impart throwing force to the lacrosse ball.

FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of an advantageous embodiment of a lacrosse stick head 500 that is constructed in accordance with the principles of the lacrosse stick mesh 300 that is illustrated in FIG. 3. Lacrosse stick head 500 of the invention comprises a lacrosse stick head frame 505 that is composed of sidewalls 510, a scoop portion 520 and a base 530. The base 530 of the frame 505 is formed with portions that receive one end of a lacrosse stick (not shown in FIG. 5). The frame 505 may be affixed to the lacrosse stick through the base 530.

As shown in FIG. 5, the lacrosse stick mesh 300 is attached to the portions of the lacrosse stick head frame 505. The string portions of the lacrosse stick mesh 300 form a plurality of apertures (310, 345) through the lacrosse stick mesh 300. As shown in FIG. 5, the lacrosse stick mesh 300 of the invention is formed with apertures (310, 345) that have an extended diamond shape in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

The present invention uses two mesh strings (325, 330) to form the non-extended end of the apertures 310 and two mesh strings (370, 375) to form the non-extended end of the apertures 345. It is understood that three (or more) mesh strings could be used in place of the two mesh strings. It is understood that the definition of an extended diamond shape includes such modifications to form the apertures 310 and to form the apertures 345.

FIG. 6 illustrates an advantageous embodiment of a lacrosse stick mesh 600 in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The lacrosse stick mesh 600 comprises three portions 610, 620 and 630. The first portion 610 forms a central vertical portion of the lacrosse stick mesh 600. As shown in FIG. 6, the first portion 610 comprises a lacrosse stick mesh in which the string portions of the lacrosse stick mesh form a plurality of apertures that have an extended diamond shape in the manner that has been previously described.

The second portion 620 and the third portion 630 of the lacrosse stick mesh 600 form a left edge vertical portion and a right edge vertical portion, respectively, of the lacrosse stick mesh 600. As shown in FIG. 6, the second portion 620 and the third portion 630 each comprise a lacrosse stick mesh in which the string portions of the lacrosse stick mesh form a plurality of apertures that have an extended diamond shape in the manner that has been previously described.

The size of the apertures in the first portion 610 of the lacrosse stick mesh 600 is smaller than the size of the apertures in the second portion 620 and the third portion 630 of the lacrosse stick mesh 600. In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the size of the apertures in the second portion 620 and the third portion 630 are twice the size of the apertures in the first portion 610.

It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to this specific example. It is understood that the size of the apertures in the three portions (610, 620, 630) of the lacrosse stick mesh 600 may be selected to have other dimensions as well. For example, the size of the apertures in the second portion 620 and the third portion 630 may be three times the size of the apertures in the first portion 610.

FIG. 7 illustrates another advantageous embodiment of a lacrosse stick mesh 700 in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The portion of the lacrosse stick mesh 700 that is shown in FIG. 7 comprises portions 710, 720, 730 and 740. The first portion 710 forms a first horizontal portion of the lacrosse stick mesh 700. As shown in FIG. 7, the first portion 710 comprises a lacrosse stick mesh in which the string portions of the lacrosse stick mesh form a plurality of apertures that have an extended diamond shape in the manner that has been previously described.

The second portion 720 forms a second horizontal portion of the lacrosse stick mesh 700. As shown in FIG. 7, the second portion 720 comprises a lacrosse stick mesh in which the string portions of the lacrosse stick mesh form a plurality of apertures that have an extended diamond shape in the manner that has been previously described.

The size of the apertures in the second portion 720 of the lacrosse stick mesh 700 is larger than the size of the apertures in the first portion 710 of the lacrosse stick mesh 700. In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the size of the apertures in the second portion 720 are twice the size of the apertures in the first portion 710.

It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to this specific example. It is understood that the size of the apertures in the two portions (710, 720) of the lacrosse stick mesh 700 may be selected to have other dimensions as well. For example, the size of the apertures in the second portion 720 may be three times the size of the apertures in the first portion 710.

The third portion 730 forms a third horizontal portion of the lacrosse stick mesh 700. As shown in FIG. 7, the third portion 730 comprises a lacrosse stick mesh in which the string portions of the lacrosse stick mesh form a plurality of apertures that have an extended diamond shape in the manner that has been previously described.

The size of the apertures in the third portion 730 of the lacrosse stick mesh 700 is smaller than the size of the apertures in the second portion 720 of the lacrosse stick mesh 700. In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the size of the apertures in the third portion 730 are one half of the size of the apertures in the second portion 720. In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the size of the apertures in the third portion 730 are equal to the size of the apertures in the first portion 710.

The fourth portion 740 forms a fourth horizontal portion of the lacrosse stick mesh 700. As shown in FIG. 7, the fourth portion 740 comprises a lacrosse stick mesh in which the string portions of the lacrosse stick mesh form a plurality of apertures that have an extended diamond shape in the manner that has been previously described.

The size of the apertures in the fourth portion 740 of the lacrosse stick mesh 700 is larger than the size of the apertures in the third portion 730 of the lacrosse stick mesh 700. In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the size of the apertures in the fourth portion 740 are twice the size of the apertures in the third portion 730. In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the size of the apertures in the fourth portion 740 are equal to the size of the apertures in the second portion 720.

It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to this specific example. It is understood that the size of the apertures in the four portions (710, 720, 730, 740) of the lacrosse stick mesh 700 may be selected to have other dimensions as well.

Although the present invention has been described with an exemplary embodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present invention encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A lacrosse stick mesh comprising a network of mesh strings that form at least one aperture that has an extended diamond shape.
 2. The lacrosse stick mesh as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one aperture that has an extended diamond shape has a vertical length that is greater than a horizontal length that is perpendicular to the vertical length.
 3. The lacrosse stick mesh as set forth in claim 2 wherein the at least one aperture that has an extended diamond shape has a vertical length that is fifty percent greater than the horizontal length that is perpendicular to the vertical length.
 4. The lacrosse stick mesh as set forth in claim 1 wherein the lacrosse stick mesh comprises a network of mesh strings that form a plurality of apertures wherein each aperture comprises an extended diamond shape.
 5. The lacrosse stick mesh as set forth in claim 4 wherein the network of mesh strings comprises a plurality of mesh strings that have a larger vertical component aligned in a vertical direction in which a lacrosse ball is thrown than a corresponding horizontal component aligned in a horizontal direction that is perpendicular to the vertical direction.
 6. The lacrosse stick mesh as set forth in claim 4 wherein the network of mesh strings form: a first plurality of extended diamond shape apertures wherein each aperture has a vertical length that is greater than a horizontal length that is perpendicular to the vertical length and wherein an extended portion of each extended diamond shape aperture extends toward a bottom of the extended diamond shape; and a second plurality of extended diamond shape apertures wherein each aperture has a vertical length that is greater than a horizontal length that is perpendicular to the vertical length and wherein an extended portion of each extended diamond shape aperture extends toward a top of the extended diamond shape.
 7. The lacrosse stick mesh as set forth in claim 6 wherein each aperture of the first plurality of extended diamond shape apertures has a vertical length that is fifty percent greater than a horizontal length that is perpendicular to the vertical length; and wherein each aperture of the second plurality of extended diamond shape apertures has a vertical length that is fifty percent greater than a horizontal length that is perpendicular to the vertical length.
 8. The lacrosse stick mesh as set forth in claim 4 wherein the lacrosse stick mesh comprises a plurality of vertical portions wherein mesh strings in each vertical portion of the lacrosse stick mesh form a plurality of apertures that have an extended diamond shape.
 9. The lacrosse stick mesh as set forth in claim 4 wherein the lacrosse stick mesh comprises a plurality of horizontal portions wherein mesh strings in each horizontal portion of the lacrosse stick mesh form a plurality of apertures that have an extended diamond shape.
 10. A lacrosse stick head comprising a lacrosse stick mesh that comprises a network of mesh strings that form at least one aperture that has an extended diamond shape.
 11. The lacrosse stick head as set forth in claim 10 wherein the lacrosse stick mesh comprises at least one aperture that has an extended diamond shape that has a vertical length that is greater than a horizontal length that is perpendicular to the vertical length.
 12. The lacrosse stick head as set forth in claim 11 wherein the lacrosse stick mesh comprises at least one aperture that has an extended diamond shape has a vertical length that is fifty percent greater than the horizontal length that is perpendicular to the vertical length.
 13. The lacrosse stick head as set forth in claim 10 wherein the lacrosse stick mesh comprises a network of mesh strings that form a plurality of apertures wherein each aperture comprises an extended diamond shape.
 14. The lacrosse stick head as set forth in claim 13 wherein the network of mesh strings of the lacrosse stick mesh comprises a plurality of mesh strings that have a larger vertical component aligned in a vertical direction in which a lacrosse ball is thrown than a corresponding horizontal component aligned in a horizontal direction that is perpendicular to the vertical direction.
 15. The lacrosse stick head as set forth in claim 13 wherein the network of mesh strings of the lacrosse stick mesh form: a first plurality of extended diamond shape apertures wherein each aperture has a vertical length that is greater than a horizontal length that is perpendicular to the vertical length and wherein an extended portion of each extended diamond shape aperture extends toward a bottom of the extended diamond shape; and a second plurality of extended diamond shape apertures wherein each aperture has a vertical length that is greater than a horizontal length that is perpendicular to the vertical length and wherein an extended portion of each extended diamond shape aperture extends toward a top of the extended diamond shape.
 16. The lacrosse stick head as set forth in claim 15 wherein each aperture of the first plurality of extended diamond shape apertures of the lacrosse stick mesh has a vertical length that is fifty percent greater than a horizontal length that is perpendicular to the vertical length; and wherein each aperture of the second plurality of extended diamond shape apertures of the lacrosse stick mesh has a vertical length that is fifty percent greater than a horizontal length that is perpendicular to the vertical length.
 17. A method for manufacturing a lacrosse stick mesh, the method comprising the steps of: forming a network of mesh strings; and forming at least one aperture in the network of mesh strings that has an extended diamond shape.
 18. The method as set forth in claim 17 wherein the method further comprises the step of: forming at least one aperture in the network of mesh strings that has an extended diamond shape that has a vertical length that is greater than a horizontal length that is perpendicular to the vertical length.
 19. The method as set forth in claim 18 wherein the at least one aperture that has an extended diamond shape has a vertical length that is fifty percent greater than the horizontal length that is perpendicular to the vertical length.
 20. The method as set forth in claim 17 wherein the method further comprises the step of: forming a plurality of apertures in the network of mesh strings wherein each aperture comprises an extended diamond shape.
 21. The method as set forth in claim 20 wherein the method further comprises the step of: forming in the network of mesh strings a plurality of mesh strings that have a larger vertical component aligned in a vertical direction in which a lacrosse ball is thrown than a corresponding horizontal component aligned in a horizontal direction that is perpendicular to the vertical direction.
 22. The method as set forth in claim 20 wherein the method further comprises the steps of: forming in the network of mesh strings a first plurality of extended diamond shape apertures wherein each aperture has a vertical length that is greater than a horizontal length that is perpendicular to the vertical length and wherein an extended portion of each extended diamond shape aperture extends toward a bottom of the extended diamond shape; and forming in the network of mesh strings a second plurality of extended diamond shape apertures wherein each aperture has a vertical length that is greater than a horizontal length that is perpendicular to the vertical length and wherein an extended portion of each extended diamond shape aperture extends toward a top of the extended diamond shape. 